11 injured as typhoon, flooding hit central Japan

Tokyo (dpa) – Eleven people were injured as a typhoon pounded central Japan Wednesday, disrupting traffic and causing some flooding and mudslides in the region, local media reported.

The coastal areas of the Tokai region west of Tokyo were particularly hard hit, broadcaster NHK reported.

The storm caused the cancellation of dozens of flights and train services in central Japan, while also bringing torrential rains to the Tokyo area.

More than half a million residents were advised to evacuate their homes in Tokyo and the neighbouring prefecture of Kanagawa due to the risk of flooding and mudslides, NHK reported.

As of 6 pm (0900 GMT), Typhoon Etau was over the Sea of Japan, travelling north-north-west at 35 kilometres per hour (kph), with maximum sustained winds of 65 kph and gusts of 90 kph, the Japan Meteorological Agency said.

The season’s 18th typhoon was expected to weaken into an extratropical depression later in the day, the agency said.

The typhoon made landfall on Chita Peninsula, 300 kilometres west of Tokyo, shortly after 10 am.